Teams prepare for robotics competition

November 25, 2012

WARREN - Learning to assemble and program robots is just one thing in science and technology that local girls are learning as part of a newly-formed robotics team that has been meeting at the YMCA of Warren.

Paulette Edington, youth program director at the YMCA, said the two teams have been meeting each Friday after school in preparing for the Lego Robotics competition to be held on Dec. 8 at Warren Harding High School where there are scheduled to be 17 teams with students in grades fourth to eighth.

The FIRSTLEGO League Regional qualifying tournaments allow students to gain experience with their robots.

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Tribune Chronicle / Bob CouplandDestiny Jordan-Dawkins, fourth grade, Payton Caldwell, sixth grade, and Asia May, sixth grade, work on the computer in programming a robot as part of the new First Lego Robotics teams co-sponsored by the Girl Scouts and YMCA of Warren. The teams formed in October and will compete in December at local competition at Harding High School.

Edington said the teams, which are called the Legoettes, are a collaboration between the local Girl Scouts and YMCA Kids Club.

Asia May, a sixth-grader, said she enjoys the building and learning how to program the robot so it can do the work the team wants it to do.

Payton Caldwell, sixth-grader, said she likes to learn how to make the robot move, and how to build it.

Destiny McElroy, a fourth-grader, said she found the building of the robots to be the most fun.

Edington said the team's challenge for the robot is to help senior citizens complete various tasks around their homes.

Adviser LaShonda Allen said the participants came up with different solutions to helps senior citizens to have easier lives.

"They have to come up with the solutions for seniors who may have knee problems or limited moveability,'' Edington said.

"They use technology to come up with solutions to get the robot to move on the board and pick up something, such as opening medicine or what to do if someone cannot bend over to pick something off the floor,'' Edington said.

The challenges allow seniors to garden, cook, take care of a pet or maneuver around their home.

Gail Stark, event organizer, said Northeast Ohio FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Alliance, a partnership among area high school FIRST Robotics teams, and the Art Outreach Gallery are collaborating with Title Sponsor Time Warner Cable to provide an experience to middle school students.

Events are noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 8 at Harding and Dec. 15 at Girard High School.

Stark said teams will demonstrate their problem-solving skills, creativity and teamwork. Top performers at both events will advance to the University of Akron Ohio district tournament on Jan. 12 to 13.